Nigerian church leaders praise the rescue of 45 abducted teachers and students in Oyo State after a 57-day captivity and security operation.
Newsroom (15/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) The release of 45 teachers and students abducted from schools in Nigeria’s Oyo State has sparked relief and rare praise for the country’s security agencies, with church leaders commending a rescue operation that brought an end to nearly two months of captivity.
Among those welcoming the development was Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, who described the victims’ return as “sweet, sweet relief” after their 57-day ordeal.
The victims were freed on July 10 following a coordinated intervention involving Nigeria’s military, police, intelligence services, and political authorities. Their release marked the conclusion of a crisis that began on May 15 when armed attackers stormed schools along the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso in Oyo State.
According to reports, the gunmen invaded during school hours, shooting a teacher and abducting pupils, students, teachers, and Community Grammar School principal Mrs. Rachael Alamu. The attack sent shockwaves through local communities and underscored the persistent threat of mass kidnappings that has plagued parts of Nigeria in recent years.
Reacting to the successful rescue, Bishop Badejo expressed gratitude to God and relief for the families who had endured weeks of uncertainty.
“I thank God Almighty who made this possible,” the bishop said in a statement. “Felicitations to the families who are going to welcome their members back after such a long period of agony.”
While celebrating the victims’ freedom, Badejo also remembered those who lost their lives during the initial assault, offering sympathy to grieving families.
Presidential Commendation for Security Forces
The operation received strong endorsement from Nigeria’s highest political office.
In a July 10 statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga quoted President Bola Tinubu as expressing profound satisfaction over the outcome of the mission.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today, after a military, police, and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists and led to the arrest of eight others,” the President said.
Tinubu praised the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and police for bringing the lengthy standoff to an end. He also acknowledged the cooperation of the Oyo State government and pledged that justice would be pursued for both the rescued victims and the family of Mr. Oyedokun, a teacher murdered by the kidnappers.
A key feature of the operation was the government’s insistence that no concessions were granted to the abductors.
According to Onanuga, eight kidnappers were arrested and placed in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while others were killed during the operation. He emphasized that authorities did not engage in any prisoner exchange or other form of bargaining with the criminal group.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue,” Onanuga stated, noting that a terrorist kingpin whose release had reportedly been demanded by the kidnappers remains under prosecution.
Rare Praise From Church and Civil Society Leaders
The successful rescue has generated unusually positive reactions from Christian leaders, many of whom have frequently criticized Nigerian authorities over their handling of violence, kidnappings, and attacks affecting Christian communities.
Bishop Badejo extended appreciation to government officials, security agencies, media organizations, and citizens who supported efforts through advocacy and prayer. He described the episode as a reminder that tackling insecurity requires cooperation between authorities and the public.
“May this ugly episode serve as a wake-up call to all of us, government and citizens, to collaborate more and do our utmost to secure our lives and property together,” he said. “May such ugly episodes be brought to an end in our country, Nigeria.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Director of the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety).
Speaking about the operation, Umeagbalasi described it as an exceptional example of professionalism and transparency by the Nigerian military. He noted that since his organization began monitoring military responses to kidnappings in 2009, he could not recall a comparable level of openness.
“The Nigerian military has done something truthful and commendable,” he said, praising the release of videos, photographs, and operational evidence that he described as authentic and unaltered.
He further highlighted the military’s willingness to disclose both the fate of the kidnappers and casualties suffered by security personnel during the mission.
The Nigerian Army acknowledged that the operation resulted in casualties among its forces, although details were limited. One officer later identified as 28-year-old Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac was honored with a military burial, footage of which circulated widely across social media platforms.
“They went into the kidnappers’ den and conducted the operation professionally,” Umeagbalasi said.
Nevertheless, the civil rights leader cautioned that replicating such success in more volatile regions could prove difficult. He pointed to areas such as Southern Kaduna, Taraba, and Zamfara, where armed groups continue to hold large numbers of hostages and where ransom payments often remain the primary means of securing releases.
“If this level of professionalism could be sustained, it would put an end to this nonsense,” he said.
A Bright Spot Amid a National Kidnapping Crisis
The Oyo rescue stands out against the backdrop of an escalating kidnapping epidemic that has become one of Nigeria’s most significant security challenges.
According to data compiled by Intersociety, approximately 2,800 Christians and 1,150 Muslims were abducted during the first 180 days of the year. During the same period, an estimated 2,550 Christians and 1,050 moderate Muslims were killed in violent attacks.
The scale of the crisis has also generated a thriving criminal economy centered on ransom payments.
A 2025 report by SBM Intelligence, an Africa-focused security and strategic consulting firm, found that approximately $1.86 million in ransom payments was made across Nigeria between July 2024 and June 2025.
During that period, at least 4,722 people were kidnapped in 997 separate incidents, illustrating the sheer magnitude of the threat facing communities across the country.
Against those grim statistics, the rescue in Oyo State offers a rare success story. For supporters of the operation, it demonstrates that coordinated intelligence, security cooperation, and sustained pressure on criminal networks can produce results without rewarding kidnappers.
Whether the methods employed in Oyo can be replicated nationwide remains uncertain. Yet for the families reunited with their loved ones after nearly two months of fear and anguish, the operation represents a powerful moment of relief and hope amid one of Nigeria’s most persistent security crises.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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